ZURICH, Switzerland -- Brazil remained world soccer's No. 1
team and the top 15 also stayed unchanged in FIFA's monthly
rankings for August. The United States was the major loser, falling
to No. 23 from 16.

Despite its disappointing exit from the World Cup quarterfinals,
Brazil was followed by world champion Italy. Argentina, France,
England, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany and the Czech
Republic rounded out the top 10.

Nigeria, Cameroon, Switzerland, Uruguay and Ukraine filled the
next five places.

Mexico jumped to No. 16 from 18. Ivory Coast improved to No. 18
from 20. Sweden moved into the top 20, taking 20th place -- up two
places from 22.